Active shooter at the Columbia Mall in Maryland!

[protectmd]

You know the navy's new motto is "Join the Navy! See the desert!"

Why are you all arguing over AK's and time on a flight deck?

now stop arguing, the smoking lamp is lit.

Regardless of what you did in the military, its likely both of you are more than qualified to operate/own/carry firearms and defend yourselves/others if the need arose.

 

[czygvtwkr]

You can't say that the cashier would or wouldn't have missed.

Clerk at a skate shop......

 

[Hank]

Clerk at a skate shop......

vs. A shotgun

 

[GW8345]

You know the navy's new motto is "Join the Navy! See the desert!"

Why are you all arguing over AK's and time on a flight deck?

now stop arguing, the smoking lamp is lit.

Regardless of what you did in the military, its likely both of you are more than qualified to operate/own/carry firearms and defend yourselves/others if the need arose.

Roger that, good call.

Back to the topic at hand;

I like how people know all the details of what the shooter did but I haven't heard any details being released yet by the police.

Also, someone mention about being in a skate shop, how many Dad's accompany their kids when they shop. I have spent more time in skate shops with my kids then I care to remember, never thought I would face an active shooter but then again, no one expect someone to shoot up a movie theater, elementary school, an office building on a military base either.

In today's day and age, you never know what or when you will be face with while out in public, I feel it's best to be prepared instead of wishing/waiting for someone to come rescue you.

 

[protectmd]

I like how people know all the details of what the shooter did but I haven't heard any details being released yet by the police.

The news has many ways of getting their information. Some are police who've signed confidentiality agreements with news agencies who "volunteer" information in reference to ongoing incidents for a fee. Others give information to their buddies who give it to news agencies, to relieve them of the guilt of snitching vital incident information. It drives the law enforcement leadership bonkers and often leads to details that the investigators did not want leaked. Firemen/paramedics are known for taking a snapshot of the dead body and sending it or leaking information as well, even if it means risking their jobs.

Other times its "witnesses" who are seeking their 5 minutes of fame. News agencies seek out witnesses and victims in an attempt to hype up the incident on camera. "I was screaming and running! He was firing shots! It was insane! He must have had an assault rifle or something." The next headline is of course "Shooter had assault rifle!" and some 'expert' yammering away on MSNBC about the dangers of bullets. These witnesses force law enforcement to release the information they have on a case closed incident like this one or lose credibility with the public as the "witnesses" will tell all about the incident while the chiefs and detectives try to cover it up. How many "witnesses" might have a video of the shooting or from inside the mall and how much would the media pay for that? Thats how the media vultures work. The right video clip for the right price.

Then of course theres your scanner junkies and commandos. These armchair dispatch listening heroes are often the first to tune in to incidents and press the record button. Its how you can get recordings of the incidents unfolding online, because they often record and post to the internet, where it goes "viral." Considering there were several agencies that responded, you easily could tune in to MSP Waterloo, Howard Co PD, Anne Arundel Western district dispatch, or Montgomery County Eastern County Dispatch and listen to the rundown of the incident. If that doesn't wet your whistle, just tune in to HoCo Fire Dispatch or any fire channels as well. This doesn't account for people who will burn copies of the dispatch recordings for their buddies and post them on the internet later, or the computer literate types who constantly record dispatch channels in hopes of catching something "good" on there, then reposting the recording online or selling it to the media.

 

[MarieB]

I mentioned before that he coukd have been a "creeper" customer. You get those types when working in retail


The 19-year-old gunman was a skateboarding enthusiast. (That's the first time that I've seen that mentioned)


Mall gunman was avid skater, no criminal past - Tulsa World: Homepagelatest



Of course this could be total bull####, but it reminded me that he may have been a customer at some point in time



A post at reddit



[–]Tsukasamaster 4 points 8 hours ago*
My long post about the victim Briana who worked at Zumiez and the short time we spent together.
Just woke up and looked to see if any more information came out. Then I saw who the victims were. I was expecting to know any of them just did it out of curiosity but then I saw the picture of Briana. Then it hit me I knew this girl I'll give the story.
This happen around Early September I was new to MD just moving here so I decided to go the mall and check out stores. Walk into Zumiez and the employee Briana walks up and starts greeting me talking about sales. I was thinking to myself wow shes a pretty cute.
Well she then sweet talks me into buying cloths a good $80 worth(she was damn good at her job).The think I noticed was every time she talked she always said "fursure" and I thought that to be the most annoying thing. So waiting to get checked out I was thinking a way to ask her out or something. When I finally get to the register I pretty much freeze and pay then leave.
So I walk around the mall just wondering around. I really wanted to get her number or give her mine. So before I leave I get a napkin and write my number down put it in my pocket and head to Zumiez. Feeling nervous when I walk in another employee walks up greets me saying "you were just here" I say "Oh yeah I forgot to buy a watch"(I didnt want a watch just need a cover story).
So I pick out some purple watch and get checked out by Briana again. We have small talk and I'm asking about what to do in MD and where to go for fun. Then I finally get to the point were I'm ready to make my move. So I pay for the watch $60 and she says "There is a lot of great places around" and I say the cheesiest and dumbest thing "How about you show me around?" and the nicest rejection happen she "I'm sorry I have a boyfriend but feel free to come by if you ever want to talk."
I say my goodbyes and walk out the store all heart broken. First pretty girl rejects me what a bummer. I crumple up the paper with my number and throw it around and the next day I return Briana was a great person for the small amount of time I knew her. I never did go back to Zumiez to talk to her and now thinking about it sucks.
So in short... My life and Briana crossed for only maybe 10mins. I never really gave it any thought. She became a story I would tell about the first rejection I got in a new place. Briana gone but I will always remember her for the rest of my life and it only took 10mins of random chance for us to meet.
Doesn't take much for someone to impact your life.
permalink

.........


He was also prime age where some mental illnesses rear their ugly heads

 

[Larry Gude]

Also, someone mention about being in a skate shop, how many Dad's accompany their kids when they shop. I have spent more time in skate shops with my kids then I care to remember, never thought I would face an active shooter but then again, no one expect someone to shoot up a movie theater, elementary school, an office building on a military base either.

In today's day and age, you never know what or when you will be face with while out in public, I feel it's best to be prepared instead of wishing/waiting for someone to come rescue you.

That's what shepherds are for.

I am part of a rousing debate about this in another forum and one of the points, among the usual pro/anti gun rights arguments, is the shepherd argument, especially in a situation like this, ie, conceal carry, especially...

...dads.

 

[justiceforall]

I understand completely now.

You obviously don't understand at all.

 

[Larry Gude]

I'll laugh when they ban shotguns in Maryland and whatever else they haven't thought of yet. Anyone caught with over 10 rounds of ammunition will be subject to arrest. Seems like a good law for the legislature to pass.

That was one of the arguments in Annapolis about the AR ban in response to the argument that this isn't about banning ALL firearms, just scary looking, extra dangerous ones, that WHEN someone gets murdered with a shotgun THEN they will call to ban them and WHEN someone gets murdered with a black powder, they will WILL call to ban them and WHEN someone gets murdered with a blunderbuss or musket then, they WILL call to ban them.

 

[glhs837]

I want to mention, about the citizen response thing. I always hear the "My God, they will just open up killing everyone." Anyone have examples of this actually happening? I know it's possible, lots of things are. But this one in particular strikes me as being a lot like the anti-CCW thing about the gutters running with blood once you go Shall-Issue. "Dodge City, everyone will be ducking gunfire everywhere, every parking spot dispute will be settled with a hail of lead.


Also, I see, "It happened too fast, nobody could have done anything." Yes, this one, most likely, not %100, but I'll grant that. But the shooter decided to suck start the gun after killing his targets (I'm of the theory that he was after those two people). That choice could very well have been "I'm rolling til somebody takes me out, dying today anyway, why not?". In that case, a bystander could very well have been the deciding factor.

 

[GURPS]

Who would return fire at a killer if behind the killer was a mall full of people?

No one with any sense, training or experience.

The Police .......

 

[GURPS]

We agree. But that still does nothing to advance the argument made by some here that CCW would have made a difference IN THIS CASE.

Media blackout: Oregon mall shooter was stopped by an armed citizen

 

[GURPS]

At the end of the day, if he had not had guns, it would have been bombs. If not bombs, then knives, or swords, fire, a car, who knows? The reality is, people who commit evil acts will continue to do so unless good people stop them.

 

[GURPS]

The 19-year-old gunman was a skateboarding enthusiast. (That's the first time that I've seen that mentioned)

He was also prime age where some mental illnesses rear their ugly heads

I am surprised he did'nt play violent video games on an XboX or PS .....

 

[MarieB]

I am surprised he did'nt play violent video games on an XboX or PS .....

Considering where the shooting took place, that is an important piece of info.


I noticed this mornng that CNN didn't bother to correct their article regarding the lady shot in the foot. She was not in the food court as initially reported. She was upstairs.

 

[vraiblonde]

Don't forget in Luby there was a CCW carrier in the restaurant. But she was defenseless as to abide by the law she was not allowed to carry I to the restaurant (a gun for zone).. defenseless and unarmed she got to watch her mother and father die..

Let's address that:

If you are serious about personal security you would disregard infringements on your constitutional rights and do what needed to be done. As in, why wouldn't this woman have just carried the gun in her purse anyway if she felt threatened? It's not like you get frisked at the Luby's, so no one would have even known she had it unless she chose to make that known in whatever manner.

And in any case where she would make her gun possession known, it's unlikely that an illegal weapons charge would be her biggest concern.

The reason she, or anyone else, doesn't feel the need to carry a gun into a restaurant is because it's extremely unlikely you will need it for anything.

Driving/walking through a sketchy neighborhood? Sure.

Carrying large sums of cash on a routine basis? Absolutely.

Shopping at the mall? Yeah, not so much.

Eating tasty cafeteria fried chicken? Doubtful.

I will suggest that the story of this woman's gun being in the car while she witnessed her parents getting killed in Luby's is anecdotal hindsight. It makes a good story for the 2A crowd, but isn't relevant to the situation.

You can indeed break the law and carry a concealed weapon. We are free to break laws in this country - happens all the time. You will just suffer consequences if you get caught.

 

[Lurk]

Also, I see, "It happened too fast, nobody could have done anything." Yes, this one, most likely, not %100, but I'll grant that. But the shooter decided to suck start the gun after killing his targets (I'm of the theory that he was after those two people). That choice could very well have been "I'm rolling til somebody takes me out, dying today anyway, why not?". In that case, a bystander could very well have been the deciding factor.

I've been trying to craft a response something like this. My real problem with the belief that someone with a CCW would come to the rescue is the fact that the guy(s) who runs toward the shooting is probably some Wyatt Earp wannabe who's really not that good with a gun. The stable, level-headed CCW guy I want to see is the guy who gets people out of the mall, while covering their 'six' in case the shooter(s) come out of the killing zone.

I would hope that CCW owners who decide to be a hero and shoot it out with the shooter(s) can control their testosterone enough to lay down the weapon when the authorities arrive. Otherwise, they'll be dead CCW owners.

 

[Lurk]

I will suggest that the story of this woman's gun being in the car while she witnessed her parents getting killed in Luby's is anecdotal hindsight. It makes a good story for the 2A crowd, but isn't relevant to the situation.

It was good enough to get her elected to the Texas legislature, where (I recall) she got the law changed.

 

[glhs837]

I've been trying to craft a response something like this. My real problem with the belief that someone with a CCW would come to the rescue is the fact that the guy(s) who runs toward the shooting is probably some Wyatt Earp wannabe who's really not that good with a gun. The stable, level-headed CCW guy I want to see is the guy who gets people out of the mall, while covering their 'six' in case the shooter(s) come out of the killing zone.

I would hope that CCW owners who decide to be a hero and shoot it out with the shooter(s) can control their testosterone enough to lay down the weapon when the authorities arrive. Otherwise, they'll be dead CCW owners.

See, that's a variant of the idea I pointed out as never actually happening. Comes from the view, I think, that running towards the source of danger is inherently a stupid idea, only to be done by those who are "Wyatt Earp wannabees" and video game commandos. A basically cynical view of humanity, I submit. I don't subscribe to that, and think that people who make that choice might by level headed folks who just see that as the best way to save the most lives.

Now, multiple shooters like the Kenya thing, taking those closest and getting them out is the best path, movies notwithstanding, one armed guy doesn't stand much of a chance against multiple armed targets. But one on one, I think you would be better served going after them.

 

[vraiblonde]

It was good enough to get her elected to the Texas legislature, where (I recall) she got the law changed.

So you're saying that because someone gets elected to public office, that means they are relevant and have a legitimate agenda that benefits the populace?

Think carefully before you respond.